As we’ve noted before, popular indie rock can be heard in everything from rom-coms to iPad commercials to hockey arenas—everywhere, it seems, except on terrestrial radio in Toronto. But that’s about to change: Today, the CRTC announced that the vacant 88.1 FM frequency—previously home to Ryerson’s beleaguered CKLN, and the recipient of 22 new-licence applications—has been awarded to Barrie, Ont.-based Rock 95 Broadcasting to launch Indie Toronto, which “will offer an English-language music format with a focus on independent and emerging Canadian artists,” with a 40 per cent CanCon minimum, and 60 per cent of programming devoted to up-and-coming artists.
Though the new station’s launch is TBA, its online broadcast stream gives you an idea of what to expect: Polaris-approved Can-indie all-stars (Feist, Austra, Fucked Up) and blog-buzzed American acts that currently don’t get airplay in these parts (Sleigh Bells, Fleet Foxes, Fitz & the Tantrums). Alas, Indie Toronto’s definition of “indie” is liberal enough to include Cake, but in contrast to this city’s self-described outpost of Edginess, the new 88.1 at least promises to be a Nickelback-free zone.
